Syllabus Information

5.1. Methodological overview

Learning of this course has been organized as follows:

The course consists of theory, laboratory and field classes. Being a fundamental subject in Geology, basic knowledge is transmited through participative theory classes. This basic knowledgment is adquired through successive learning steps and is complemented through lab and field activities. These practical classes are important as a way to check the level of comprehension and aplication of concepts, principles, methods and techniques used in Stratigraphy that has been achieved by students. In addition, tutorials by teachers are a relevant complementary activity through which students can find out and complete information of the course.

5.2. Learning tasks

The course has the following parts:

1. Lectures (30h)

2. Laboratory classes (17h)

3. Field work (4 days)

4. Personal work (at home): Analysis of data, exercises and study time (73h)

5. Examination: 6 h

5.3. Syllabus

LECTURES (30 h)

PART 1. CONCEPT, OBJECTIVES, PRINCIPLES AND METHODS IN STRATIGRAPHY: Stratigraphy. Objectives. Methods and techniques.

PART 2. SEDIMENTARY PROCESSES OF THE EXTERNAL GEOLOGIC CYCLE: Introduction, Transport: processes and effects. Sedimentation: processes and properties of sediments. Diagenesis.

PART 3. CHARACTERISTICS OF STRATIFIED ROCKS: Stratification. Sedimentary structures:  Classification. Sedimentary structures formed by unidirectional, bidirectional and multidirectional flows. Sedimentary structures formed by deformation. Biogenic sedimentary structures. Diagenetic sedimentary structures.

PART 4. ASSOCIATIONS OF STRATA: Concepts of transgression, regression and facies. Sequences. Stratigraphic units. Discontinuities.

PRACTICALS

Laboratory (17 h)

Exercise 1. Measuring of stratigraphic sections: Clues for field work and for graphic illustration of data.

Exercise 2. Grain size analysis: graphic analysis and interpretation.

Exercise 3. Sedimentary structures: visual identification through rock samples and analysis of paleocurrent data.

Exercise 4. Sedimentary cycles: analysis of stratigraphic sections.

FIELD WORK (4 days)

Days 1 and 2: Measuring stratigraphic sections in sequences made of horizontal and inclined strata.

Day 3: Measuring detailed stratigraphic sections and identification of sedimentary structures.

Day 4: Identification of sedimentary cycles.

5.4. Course planning and calendar

The following distribution of classes is scheduled for classroom activities:

Lectures (theory): 3 ECTS, 2h/week. Monday 11 to 12h, Tuesday 10 to 11h.

Laboratory classes (practicals): 1.7 ECTS, 2h/week through 8 weeks (+ 1h). Students will choose a 2h-group (Monday: 12 -14h, 16 -18h,  and 18 - 20h: 15 - 17h. These classes start in March.

Field classes (practicals): 1.3 ECTS, represent 4 journeys, with 24 h learning time. The field trip calendar is published by the Department of Earth Sciences on its web page.

Evaluation activities will take place on the dates and places established by the Science Faculty. 

5.5. Bibliography and recommended resources